SOS3800

Zombie Apocalypse! Preparing for the next pandemic 

The COVID-19 pandemic showed that we were unprepared in many areas. While pathogens and their transmission are classic objects of epidemiology, life sciences and medical sciences the pandemic highlighted how all of society was affected. How to keep society running while attenuating economic, medical, psychological and social negative effects of infection control measures? 

The next pandemic might be just around the corner. There are many unknowns: the pathogen, its transmission route, who will be most affected by it. Following the US Centers’ for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emergency preparedness motto “if you're prepared for a zombie apocalypse, you're prepared for pretty much anything!” this village plans for the next pandemic event. 

Relevant competency

Independent of whether you plan for the Zombie Apocalypse or any other future pandemic, students from all disciplines are welcome in the village to engage from their various disciplinary backgrounds with the panoply of challenges posed by pandemic events. 

About the village

This village is not specifically about the Zombie Apocalypse. Sorry! Rather, following the CDC’s all-hazards generic preparedness approach it invites its villagers to engage with various scenarios and come up with projects that might help in managing the wide array of problems which the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown into relief. 

For example, aeration and occupancy of indoor spaces like bars, concert halls, hospital wards, offices and schools posed a multidisciplinary problem: How to keep society running while attenuating economic, medical, psychological, and social negative effects of infection control measures that restricted the use of these spaces? How to efficiently stockpile necessary materials (masks, vaccines, etc.) without wasting them after their expiration date has passed? How to communicate and involve the public in pandemic preparedness and control efforts? How to save pandemic plans from catching dust or passing into oblivion? 

For further information on pandemic planning see: 

CDC (2011): Preparedness 101; zombie pandemic

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

World Health Organization: Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework 

World Health Organization Western Pacific: Preparing for pandemics  

Hvordan melder jeg meg opp i EiT?